20 Ways To Show Kindness On Mandela Day

Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom

– Nelson Mandela

Mandela Day is observed on July 18, the late former president’s birthday. People all around the globe are invited and encouraged to participate in this day, where people pay it forward in acts of kindness in the community.

People spend 67 minutes in acts of service. Why 67 minutes? Each minute represents one of the 67 years Mandela spent in service of the public. He dedicated his life to improving race relations, protecting human rights, improving gender equality and conflict resolution. He also spent his years aiming to fight poverty and promote social justice in South Africa.

Here are 20 ways you can spend your 67 minutes on July 18, in service of vulnerable and less fortunate groups, just as the legendary Nelson Mandela had.

Plant a tree. Not only does this support the complex eco-systems of out country, but protects vulnerable groups against the impacts of climate change. Planting fruit trees can support food production for those in need.
Collect and donate sanitary products. Sadly, many girls in our country drop out of school because of their periods. Specifically because of limited or no access to sanitary products. Approach an under-resourced school or donate monies to an NGO’s Pad Drive.
Donate Blood. What better day to save three lives! If you own a business or run an organisation, you can register to host a blood drive and make donating blood even more accessible to your community.
Host a games day at an old age home. Caring for the elderly maintains their good health and well-being. Getting our youth involved brings a warm and infectious joy to the old, and the kids benefit from making inter-generational relationships.
Donate to children. Gather up unused toys and educational material ro donate it to a less fortunate school or local charity. Foster a culture of reading by reading to kids at a library or children’s home. Or support a children’s reading literacy organisation.
Organise a community cleanup. Whether it’s a littered park, beach, or neighbouring streets, clean-ups beautify the area. A campaign brings people together, forming social bonds. It removes dangerous materials from the area and restores the habitat of animals in the area.
Give a homeless person a night off the street. Homeless shelters often require a fee per night. While the amount might seem insignificant to us, for the indigent, it can be a big obstacle. Donate towards local NGOs that help shelter the homeless. Or spend time volunteering and making it a pleasant stay for those in need.
Volunteer at an animal shelter. Take dogs on a walk, clean out kennels or simply share some affection with the kitties. And if one them steals your heart, go the extra mile and foster or adopt. You can also spend Mandela Day donating clean water, warm blankets and food.
Throw a party for the residents at an old age home. Bring love and joy into the lives of the elderly with good food, good music and good vibes. Play some old tunes, engage them in activities – and invite your friends and family to join in the fun.
Blog or post about an NGO that needs support. Spend over an hour sharing pics, videos or information about a local charity that could use the exposure. Make them go viral: for good! Even yet, go live with some of the organisers and talk about the charity and what it needs, and how people can support.
Bake something lekker and share it with frontline workers. Key workers – like police officers, EMS staff and firefighters – work tirelessly to provide an essential service to the public. They maintain the flow and function of daily life.
Write a letter to a news editor about an issue you are concerned about. This can be the perfect platform to raise awareness of a cause, suggest a solution or propose a new way to approach a problem. The effectiveness of this though, is based on the reach of the publication. But this should not stop you from trying.
Hold a prayer meeting with family and friends. Engaging in prayer with loved ones builds compassion and empathy. Prayer and meditation can also lower negative feelings towards something stressful or difficult.
Tutor someone. If you are skilled in your mother tongue, or can simply the most complicated of math and science questions: put it to good use, and teach! Give back, by offering your time at your alma mater, or a school in need.
Offer someone your computer skills. Fostering digital literacy in young South Africans can ensure they find employment opportunities later in life. Not everyone has easy access to a computer, a smartphone or the internet. You can even donate old tech to charities or a school in need. Or donate to open a computer centre in the country.
Feed hungry mouths. Get a team together (friends and family can make it fun) and make a meal to share with those who have no food. You can peel onions, chop up butternut or stir the pot over a fire: many hands make light work. This builds social bonds and assists those who need a warm meal this winter. Or simply support a local soup kitchen on Mandela Day.
Sponsor a holiday club or afterschool care. Some parents cannot afford to leave their children at home, or find a trustworthy babysitter during the holidays or after school. Ensure a child’s safety by sponsoring their time at a holiday club or afterschool care. It can be as simple as approaching a family in need or offering your donation to a school.
Register to become an organ or tissue donor. This is a medical procedure where one person donates an organ or tissue to another person in need of a transplant. This person is usually someone battling a life-threatening disease or is dying. One organ donor can save up to 7 lives!
Support a local small business. Put money into the pockets of upcoming, local entrepreneurs by enjoying your Mandela Day lunch at a small cafe or buy a new outfit from a designer in your community.
Donate R67. If you are unable to spend 67 (active) minutes in your community, spend your money in the path of goodness!